In the early hours of November 14 local time, Ukrainian forces launched the largest joint strike operation in recent years against the critical energy export hub of Novorossiysk Port on Russia's Black Sea coast. The attack employed a variety of long-range weapons, including the FP-5 "Firebird" cruise missiles, the "Lutyi" long-range attack drones, and the "Super Neptune" cruise missile system—its first operational deployment—capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. The primary targets were the Sheskharis oil terminal within the port, one of Russia's largest crude oil export terminals on the Black Sea, responsible for handling oil shipments from key production areas such as the West Siberian and Volga-Ural oilfields. The attack severely damaged the No. 1 and No. 1A core berths of the terminal, with No. 1 primarily used for loading 40,000-ton tankers and No. 1A accommodating 140,000-ton Suezmax tankers. A large container crane within the port was hit and set ablaze, while multiple work vehicles were destroyed. Additionally, a tanker flying the Sierra Leone flag was struck by missile fragments near the berth, resulting in hull breaches and minor injuries to three crew members. The S-400 air defense system deployed around the port also sustained damage, temporarily disabling local air defense capabilities. In response, Russian oil giant Transneft immediately halted all crude oil deliveries to the terminal, and Novorossiysk Port suspended petroleum exports for the entire day of November 14. The port processes approximately 2.2 million barrels of crude oil daily, accounting for about 2% of global daily oil supply, and its sudden shutdown quickly raised concerns in international markets about supply disruptions. On November 14, international oil prices surged accordingly, with London Brent crude futures briefly exceeding $64.87 per barrel—a rise of over 2%. Meanwhile, New York WTI crude futures reached a 3.2% gain, hitting $60.50 per barrel. However, thanks to the rapid response and repair efforts of Russian military and port authorities, Novorossiysk Port announced its resumption of operations just two days after the disruption. On the morning of November 16, the Suezmax tanker "Alan" and the Aframax tanker "Rhodes" were the first to berth at the Sheskharis terminal, commencing crude oil loading. According to official port updates, the damaged berths had been restored to basic functionality through temporary repairs, and oil pipelines had been reactivated, with the port gradually returning to full operational capacity. Although the attack did not cause prolonged supply disruptions, it once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Black Sea energy transport corridor. Analysts noted that if similar attacks persist, Russia may be forced to further rely on its Baltic and Arctic ports (such as Ust-Luga and Murmansk) and accelerate the expansion of pipelines like the "Power of Siberia" to China. Additionally, the incident has prompted a reassessment of global energy supply chain security, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East and OPEC+'s continued production cuts, where any regional supply disruption could be amplified.
Overall, the rapid recovery of the port of Novorossiysk to some extent alleviated market concerns, leading to a gradual decline in international oil prices after 16 days. The impact of this incident on the global energy market was ultimately contained within the scope of short-term emotional fluctuations. However, it also serves as a warning for global energy security: in today's context of escalating geopolitical conflicts, energy infrastructure is increasingly becoming a target of military strikes, and its potential risks cannot be overlooked.
Author of this news: Ding Shuhan
Date: November 17, 2025
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